6 Key Points for Perfect Terrace Waterproofing

Terrace is one of the most crucial parts in any building since it is always exposed to face severe weather conditions. Temperature variations develop cracks on terrace surfaces and rain water seeps through these cracks. If we ignore terrace waterproofing, rain water through cracks leads to damp patches on ceilings. In some cases, more damaged can be witnessed and there can be water leakages or flooding.

We have seen various failed terrace waterproofing that had been waterproofed by traditional waterproofing methods. Earlier, lime terracing, Mud Fuska or brick bat coba used to be applied on terrace for terrace waterproofing in India. Tarfelt and bitumen were also used. But unfortunately, these old methods are not successful because of low grade material available and poor workmanship.

Here we have listed important cautions that should be taken care to have perfect terrace waterproofing solution:

1. Applicable surface for terrace waterproofing

Not all chemicals can be applied on all surfaces.

Most of the waterproofing companies claim their chemical or membranes can be applied on any surface available on terrace which is not true for most of the available chemicals. Chemicals should be different for mother surface of terrace and for any other surface on terrace (for example brick bat coba). If waterproofing application is not being applied on mother surface of any terrace, high grade chemicals with higher flexibility are required.

2. Repairing of terrace surface

Repairing of existing surface on which waterproofing treatment is going to be applied, is a crucial check point in any waterproofing application. Since cracks, honeycombing and undulations are usually there, repairing should be done with utmost attentions. If we forget to fill the cracks and apply any membrane or coating on cracked and uneven surface, membrane or coating would also gets cracked and leads to a failure. We should also remove tarcole or bitumen etc. prior to apply any waterproofing treatment.

3. Proper Coating Applications

Poor workmanship and application is most common cause of any terrace waterproofing failure. Usually masons and labour do not pay much attention to follow recommended guidelines by chemical manufacturing companies. For example, they may use wrong mixing techniques or lesser quantity of required chemical. To avoid such issues, a trained supervisor who knows well about application process should be there to guide unskilled workers. Lack of supervision or incompetency in applications will always leads to failure in terrace waterproofing.

4. Accurate Chemical Ratio

Chemical quantity used in any waterproofing work provides estimate of cost involve in waterproofing. Local contractors can quote you any price depending on your budget and to get the work they may quote you as low as possible since they know they will get their margin by using lesser quantity of chemical than required. Waterproofing contractors may show you that they did perfect waterproofing job by filling water on your terrace. For a while it may work but over the period cracks will be developed due to various issues such as contraction & expansion due to temperature variation, earthquakes etc. Waterproofing coatings need high tensile strength and flexibility for perfect waterproofing solutions and if less quantity of chemical are used, coatings would not have desired flexibility to show perfect result.

5. Proper Sealing of drainage pipes

You find maximum damp patches in ceiling near drainage pipes. Since pipes and cement never stick together and there remain some holes that let the water to leak in your ceilings. Proper sealing is required with waterproofing chemicals to fill these holes.

6. Protect your waterproofing coatings

A normal plaster or screed over the waterproofing treatment is required to protect your waterproofing coatings. Else, it may punchered or get cracked by movements. To reduce the project cost, you may be told that protective layer is not required but if foot movements are there protective layer is recommended, else we can avoid it.

Modern waterproofing methods have changed construction industry over the years. Huge rise in urbanization and need of effective waterproofing techniques have replaced the old conventional waterproofing processes with new updated and more effective waterproofing solutions. Here, we will discuss adoption of new waterproofing systems, their usages, advantages and precautions to be taken for best possible …